Prime Minister's Office
English rendering of PM’s speech at inauguration of Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Har Har Mahadev! Har Har Mahadev! Namah Parvati Pataye! Har Har Mahadev!Mata Annapurna ki Jai! Ganga Maiya ki Jai! Present in this historic event, Governor of Uttar Pradesh Smt Anandiben Patel ji, Karmayogi Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath ji, National President of Bharatiya Janata Party and guide to all of us Shri J.P. Nadda ji, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya ji and Dinesh Sharma ji, my colleague in the Council of Ministers Mahendra Nath Pandey ji, President of Uttar Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party Swatantradev Singh ji, the minister representing Kashi Neelkanth Tiwari ji, the revered saints who have come from every corner of the country, my dear residents of Kashi and all the faithful of the country and abroad who are witnessing this occasion! Along with all the brothers of Kashi, I bow down at the feet of Baba Vishwanath and Mata Annapurna. I have just visited the ‘Kotwal’ of Kashi Kalbhairav ji and sought his blessings for the countrymen. If there is anything special or anything new happening in Kashi, then it is necessary to seek his permission. I also bow at the feet of the Kotwal of Kashi. गंगा तरंग रमणीय जटा-कलापम्, गौरी निरंतर विभूषित वाम-भागम्नारायण प्रिय-मनंग-मदाप-हारम्, वाराणसी पुर-पतिम् भज विश्वनाथम्।I greet from Baba Vishwanath’s court the people of the country and the world who are witnessing this ‘Mahayagya’ from their respective places. I also greet all the people of Kashi for their cooperation for this auspicious occasion. I am very happy. Many congratulations to all of you.
Friends,
According to the Puranas, one becomes free from all bondage the moment he enters Kashi. With the blessings of Lord Vishweshwara, a supernatural energy awakens our inner-soul as soon as we come here. And today, there is an altogether different vibration in the consciousness of this eternal Kashi! Today there is a different aura in the transcendentalismof Adi Kashi! Today a distinct power is visible in the determination of eternal Banaras! We have heard in the scriptures that all the pilgrimages, all the divine powers appear before Baba in Banaras whenever there is a sacrosanct occasion. Today I am having a similar experience by visiting Baba's court. It seems that our entire conscious universe is connected to it. Although only Baba knows the extent of his ‘Maya’, but as far as our vision goes, the entire world is connected with this holy event of 'Vishwanath Dham.
Friends,
Today, i.e., Monday is the favorite day of Lord Shiva. Today Vikram Samvat 2078, Margashirsha Shukla Paksha, Dashami Tithi, is creating a new history. And we are fortunate that we are witnessing this time. Today Vishwanath Dham is filled with unimaginable and infinite energy. Its splendor is expanding. Its significance is touching the skies. Many ancient temples which became extinct here have also been re-established. Baba has been pleased with the service of his devotees for centuries, and therefore, he has blessed us with this day. This new complex of Vishwanath Dham is not just a grand building, but it is a symbol of the Sanatan culture of our India! It is a symbol of our spiritual soul! This is a symbol of India's antiquity, traditions, energy and dynamism! When you come here you will not only come across with faith, but you will also feel the glory of our past here. At the Vishwanath Dham complex, we can see a glimpse of how antiquity and novelty are coming alive together, how the inspirations of the ancient are giving direction to the future.
Friends,
Mother Ganga, which comes to Kashi after being northbound to wash Baba's feet, will also be very happy today. When we bow down and meditate at the feet of Lord Vishwanath, the breeze touching Mother Ganga will give us affection and blessings. And when Mother Ganga will be happy, we will also be able to have the divine experience of the waves of Ganga while meditating Baba. Baba Vishwanath belongs to everyone, Mother Ganga belongs to everyone. Their blessings are for all. But due to time constraint and circumstances, this access to service of Baba and Mother Ganga had become difficult.Everyone wanted to come here, but there were no proper roads and insufficient space. It was very difficult for the elderly and the Divyangs to come here. But now with the completion of the Viswanath Dham project, it has become easier for everyone to reach here. Our Divyang brothers and sisters and elderly parents will be able to come straight to the jetty from the boat. Escalators have also been installed to reach the jetty from the ghats. From there people will be able to come directly to the temple. Earlier, the narrow roads led to the long hours of waiting, which was annoying. Now the long wait will be reduced. The temple complex which was spread over only 3,000 square feet earlieris now five lakh square feet. Now 50,000-70,000 devotees can visit the temple and its premises. One can now take a bath in the Mother Ganga and from there go directly to Vishwanath Dham! Har Har Mahadev!
Friends,
I came with a belief to Banaras. I had more faith in the people of Banaras than me. Today is not the time to make a judgment but I remember some people used to doubt the people of Banaras. How will this corridor happen? It will not happen! Many people like Modi have come and gone. I would wonder such assumptions had been made for Banaras! Such arguments were being made! Banaras did not have this inertia and it couldn't be! There was politics to an extent and there were vested interests. Therefore, allegations were being made against Banaras. But Kashi is Kashi! Kashi is imperishable. There is only one government in Kashi, and there is a ‘damru’ in his hands. Who can stop Kashi where Ganga flows by changing its current? Lord Shankar himself has said in Kashikhand – “विना मम प्रसादम् वै, कः काशी प्रति-पद्यते” i.e., No one comes to Kashi and nothing happens without Mahadev’s grace. Whatever happens here happens with the will of Mahadev. Whatever happened, Mahadev has done it. This Vishwanath Dham has come up because of Baba’s blessings. Can any leaf move without His wish? No matter how influential a person is, he can come here only if He wishes.
Friends,
If anyone else has a contribution other than Baba, then it is the followers of Baba. The residents of Kashi themselves are the form of Mahadev. Whenever Baba has to demonstrate His power, He makes Kashi's people a medium. Then Kashi does and the world watches. “इदम् शिवाय, इदम् न मम्”
Brothers and sisters,
Today, I would also like to express my gratitude to all our labor brothers and sisters whose sweat has been shed in the construction of this grand complex. Even in the adverse time during Corona, they did not let the work stop here. I just got the opportunity to meet these labor colleagues and had the privilege of taking their blessings. I congratulate all our artisans, people associated with our civil engineering and administration and the families who used to have their homes here. I also congratulate the UP government, our Karmayogi Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji and his entire team, who worked day and night to complete the Kashi Vishwanath Dham project.
Friends,
Our Varanasi has lived through the ages, has seen history being created and destroyed. Many eras have come and gone! There was the ascent and downfall of so many sultanates, but Banaras continues to stand tall, spreading its splendor. This abode of Baba has not only been eternal, but its beauty has always surprised and attracted the world. Our Puranas also describe such divine form of Kashi surrounded by a natural aura. Historians have also described the wonderful nature of Kashi surrounded by trees, lakes and ponds. But time never stays the same. The invaders attacked this city, tried to destroy it! History is witness to Aurangzeb's atrocities and his terror, who tried to change civilization with the sword and crush the culture with fanaticism! But the soil of this country is different from the rest of the world. If an Aurangzeb comes here, a Shivaji also rises! If any Salar Masud comes, then brave warriors like King Suheldev make him taste the might of our unity. And even during the British era, the people of Kashi know what happened to Warren Hastings, how he escaped.
Friends,
Look at the wheel of time!Today, those synonymous with terror have remained confined to the dark pages of history! And my Kashi is moving ahead, giving new splendor to its glory.
Friends,
The more I talk about Kashi, the more I become emotional. Kashi is not a matter of words; Kashi is the creation of sensations. Kashi is where awakening is life; Kashi is where death is also bliss! Kashi is where truth is the sacrament! Kashi is where love is the tradition.
Brothers and sisters,
Our scriptures have also said ‘नेति-नेति’  in the end while praising the glory of Kashi. That is, what has been said is not that much, there is so much more than that! Our scriptures have said – “शिवम् ज्ञानम् इति ब्रयुः, शिव शब्दार्थ चिंतकाः” i.e., those who meditate Shiva consider Him knowledge. Therefore, this Kashi is all-encompassing of Shiva and knowledge. Therefore, knowledge, research and quest have been natural to Kashi and India. Lord Shiva himself has said – “सर्व क्षेत्रेषु भू पृष्ठे, काशी क्षेत्रम् च मे वपु:” i.e., of all the earth, Kashi is my body. Therefore, every particle here is Shankar. Therefore, we consider our Kashi to be alive and we get a sense of motherhood in every particle of our country. It is written in our scriptures: “दृश्यते सवर्ग सर्वै:, काश्याम् विश्वेश्वरः तथा” i.e., there is a vision of Lord Vishweshwar in every living being, everywhere in Kashi. Therefore, Kashi directly links living beings with Shiva. Our sages have also said this “विश्वेशं शरणं, यायां, समे बुद्धिं प्रदास्यति” i.e., intelligence pervades upon taking refuge under Lord Vishwesha. Banaras is the city from where Jagadguru Shankaracharya got inspiration from the virtue of Sridom Raja and he resolved to unite the country. This is the place from where Goswami Tulsidas ji drew inspiration from Lord Shankar and created Ramcharit Manas.
The realization of Lord Buddha was revealed to the world in Sarnath. Sage Kabir Das was born here for reforming society. If there was a need to unite the society, then Kashi became the center of the power of devotion of Sant Raidas ji. Kashi is the land of four Jain Tirthankaras, the epitome of non-violence and austerity. So many sages and Acharyas, including King Harishchandra, Vallabhacharya, Ramanand ji, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Samarthguru Ramdas, Swami Vivekananda and Madan Mohan Malaviya are related to the holy land of Kashi. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj got inspiration from here. Kashi has been the birthplace of many fighters, including Rani Lakshmibai and Chandra Shekhar Azad. There is a treasure house of talents like Bhartendu Harishchandra, Jaishankar Prasad, Munshi Premchand, Pandit Ravi Shankar and Bismillah Khan. Just as Kashi is infinite, Kashi's contribution is also infinite. The development of Kashi involves the energy of these infinite virtuoussouls. This development includes the legacy of India's infinite traditions. Therefore, people of every creed, language and class come here and feel connected with here.
Friends,
Kashi is not only the cultural spiritual capital of our India; it is also a living embodiment of the soul of India. The Vishwanath Temple in Kashi, which connects East and North, was demolished, but it was rebuilt by Mata Ahilyabai Holkar, whose birthplace was Maharashtra and whose ‘karmabhoomi’ was in Indore-Maheshwar and many other areas. Today, I bow to Mata Ahilyabai Holkar on this occasion. She had done so much for Kashi about 200-250 years ago. Since then, so much has been done for Kashi now.
Friends,
Maharaja Ranjit Singh from Punjab had offered about 23 mann of gold for the dome to enhance the aura of Baba Vishwanath temple. Revered Guru Nanak Dev Ji from Punjab also came to Kashi and organized spiritual meet here. Other Sikh gurus also had a special relationship with Kashi. The people of Punjab had donated generously for the reconstruction of Kashi. In the east, Queen Bhavani of Bengal devoted everything for the development of Banaras. Kings of Mysore and other South Indian provinces have also contributed greatly to Banaras. This is a city where you will find temples which have imprints of the North, South and Nepal. Vishwanath Temple has been the center of this spiritual consciousness, and now this Vishwanath Dham complex in its grand form will give more energy to this consciousness.
Friends,
We all know very well the faith of the people of South India on Kashi, the influence of South India on Kashi and vice versa. In one of the Kannada language texts, it is written तेनो-पयाथेन कदा-चनात्, वाराणसिम पाप-निवारणन। आवादी वाणी बलिनाह, स्वशिष्यन, विलोक्य लीला-वासरे, वलिप्तान i.e., when Jagadguru Madhvacharya was walking with his disciples, he remarked that Vishwanath of Kashi removes sins. He also explained about the splendor and glory of Kashi to his disciples.
Friends,
This sentiment of centuries ago still continues. Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi, whose stay in Kashi changed the course of his life, has written in Tamil –"कासी नगर पुलवर पेसुम उरई दान, कान्जिइल के-पदर्कोर, खरुवि सेवोम" i.e., I will make the speeches of saints and poets of Kashi available in Kanchipur. Every message emanating from Kashi is so comprehensive that it changes the direction of the country. I would like to say one more thing. I have an old experience. Many Banarasi fellows who live on ghats and boatmen speak fluent Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam that it seems that we are in Kerala, Tamil Nadu or Karnataka!
Friends,
India's energy for thousands of years has been preserved like this. When different places, regions are united in one thread, India awakens as 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'. That is why, we are taught to remember 'Saurashtra Somnatham', 'Ayodhya Mathura Mayaand Kashi Kanchi Avantika' every day. By remembering only the twelve Jyotirlingas, it leads to “तस्य तस्य फल प्राप्तिः, भविष्यति न संशयः” i.e., by remembering the twelve Jyotirlingas from Somnath to Vishwanath leads to realization of every resolve. There is no doubt about it. It is so because the spirit of the entire India gets united by remembering them. And when there is the spirit of India, where is the question of doubt?
Friends,
It is also not a mere coincidence that whenever Kashi has taken a turn, has done something new, the fate of the country has changed. The Mahayagya of development going on in Kashi for the last seven years is getting a new energy. The inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham will give a decisive direction to India and will lead to a brighter future. This complex is a witness of our capabilities and our duties. If there is determination to do something then nothing is impossible. There is that force in the arms of every Indianwhich makes the unimaginable come true. We know how to expend for the country. No matter how big the challenge, we Indians can defeat it together. The power of the destroyers can never be greater than the power of India and the devotion of India. Remember, the world will see us in the same way as we see ourselves.I am glad that India of today is coming out of the inferiority complex due to centuries of slavery. Today's India not only beautifies the Somnath temple, but is also laying thousands of kilometers of optical fiber in the sea. Today's India is not only renovating the Baba Kedarnath temple, but is preparing to send Indians to space on its own strength. Today's India is not only building a temple of Lord Shri Rama in Ayodhya but is also opening medical colleges in every district of the country. Today's India is not only giving grand look to Baba Vishwanath Dham but is also building crores of pucca houses for the poor.
Friends,
The new India is also proud of its culture and equally confident in its ability. New India has a heritage as well as development. Ram-Janaki road is being constructed to make it easier to travel from Ayodhya to Janakpur. Today the places associated with Lord Rama are being connected to the Ramayana Circuit and also the Ramayana train is being run. Work for the Buddha Circuit is on and an International Airport has also been built at Kushinagar. While the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor has been constructed, preparations are also underway to build a ropeway to make it easier to visit Hemkund Sahib. Work is also going on at a fast pace on the Chardham road project in Uttarakhand. With the blessings of crores of devotees of Lord Vitthal, the work of Sreesanth Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Marg and Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg has also started just a few weeks back.
Friends,
Be it Guruvayur temple in Kerala or Kanchipuram-Velankanni in Tamil Nadu, Jogulamba Devi temple in Telangana or Belur Math in Bengal, Dwarka ji in Gujarat or Parshuram Kund in Arunachal Pradesh, work has either been completed or going on for many such holy places associated with our faith and culture in different states of the country with complete devotion.
Brothers and sisters,
Today's India is reviving its lost heritage. Mata Annapurna herself resides in Kashi. I am happy that the statue of Mother Annapurna, which was stolen from Kashi, has now been re-established here after 100 years of wait. By the grace of Mother Annapurna, the country opened its granaries in the difficult times of Corona, arranged for free ration to ensure that no poor should sleep hungry.
Friends,
Whenever we visit a temple, we ask God for something and also go back with some resolutions. For me,public is the form of God. For me, every Indian is a part of God. Like people go to God and ask for something, I consider you as God, I consider people as God, andtherefore, today I want to ask something from you. I want three resolutions from you, not for myself, but for our country. I am asking this from Baba's holy land -- first ‘Swachhta’ , second ‘Srijan’  and third continuous efforts for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ . Cleanliness is a lifestyle, cleanliness is discipline. It brings with it a vast array of duties. No matter how much India develops, it will be difficult for us to move forward if India will not remain clean. We have done a lot in this direction, but we have to step up our efforts. Your small effort, filled with a sense of duty, will help the country a lot. Here in Banaras too, we have to take cleanliness to a new level in the city as well as at the ghats. Many efforts are going on from Uttarakhand to Bengal for the cleanliness of Ganga ji. For the success of Namami Gange campaign, we have to keep working consciously.
Friends,
The long period of slavery shattered the confidence of Indians in such a way that we lost faith in our own creation. Today, from this thousand-year-old Kashi, I call upon every countryman -- create with full confidence and innovate. When the youth of India can create hundreds of start-ups in this difficult time of Corona, can create more than 40 unicornsin the midst of so many challenges, it shows that they can do anything. One unicorn i.e. a start-up is about more than about 7,000 crore rupees and all these unicorns have been created in the last one-and-a-half years only. This is unprecedented. If every Indian, in whatever field he is, will try to do something new for the country, only then new ways will emerge and every new destination will be achieved.
Brothers and sisters,
The third resolution that we have to take today is to step up our efforts for a self-reliant India. This is the virtuous period of freedom. We are in the 75th year of independence. We will have to work from now on for what India will be like when India celebrates 100 years of independence. And for this, it is necessary for us to be self-reliant. We can be helpful in this campaign when we will be proud of the things made in the country, when we will be vocal for the local and when we will buy things which an Indian sweats to make. India is progressing ahead with the efforts of 130 crore countrymen in this virtuous period. With the grace of Mahadev, with the efforts of every Indian, we will see the dream of Aatmanirbhar Bharat come true. With this belief, I bow once again at the feet of Baba Vishwanath, Mata Annapurna, Kashi-Kotwal and all the deities. It is a fortunate moment for a common citizen like me that revered saintshave come from different parts of the country in such large numbers. I bow my head to all the saints and offer my heartfelt greetings to them. I once again congratulate and convey my best wishes to all the people of Kashi and the countrymen. Har Har Mahadev!
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.